The Grenada gazette., 1887-10-01
RALPH's sELF.DENIAL.
How He Proved Himself to be . Charm
ing Man OF the House.

How He Proved Himself to bc Charm
ing Man OF the House.
II will take Ralph, Jemima!'
e"Take Ralph, Ichabod! can't think
Of such a thing. ! can't spare my boy.
There are SO few of us now, brother!'
"But what under the canopy, are
you going to do with great growing
boy, eating you out Of house and home,
at the age when he needs man to look
after him, too? Itell you. Jcmima, it's
nonsense. Bundle up the boys clothes
and let him jump into the cart and go
with me. His aunt Polly'll see that
he has plenty to do, and he can stop in
now and then to see you on market
days, if you like. Wen do we'll by the
boy, Jemima. Don't turn away fair
offer. Come, Ralph, you know which
side your bread is buttered OH. You
want to go home with me, don't you?"
1t hardly seemed possible that this
coarse-looking, red-faced man, regu-
lar Uncle Pumblechook OF man, could
be own brother to the slender, refined
woman in widows mourning against
whom the boy was leaning, his arm
thrown fondly around her shoulder.
The thought Of living with Uncle Icha-
bod and Aunt Polly was hateful, and
Ralph shuddered at the bare idea.
But he was well-trained boy. and
politely answered: II can not leave
mamma, uncle. Papa told me that |
was to be the man Of the house."
Papa had died month ago.
"Humph! Pretty man of the house
you'll be! Need man over you l
sayr' And storming and clustering,
Uncle Ichabod departed, slamming the
door behind him, and driving old
Whiteface clatterty-bang down tho
road at u great pace.
II hope I've done wisely, Ralph" :"
said Mrs. Afford, smoothing back her
boys fair hair. 1--WE have very little
money, and your uncle is rich"
Il won't eat any more than l can
help. mamma, and I'd stop growing so
fast II possibly could"
"Blcss the dear child! Eat all you
want, laddie. and don't worry about
growing. The sooner you grow to be
= tall M n, as papa was, the sooner
you will be able to take good care Of
mamma and your sisters"
II there was very little money in the
Affords home, there was something
much better-a great deal of love.
Mrs. Afford kneY how to be merry
over bread and milk, and not to cloud
her children's pleasure, she kept a
cheerful face ever when she felt sad
and lonely. Ralph went to school
every day. and tried not to worry his
mother by complaints; but it was hard
for boy Of eleven to wear trousers
which were too short in the legs, and
Jackets which persisted in getting tight
over the chest, with sleeves which
crept halfway to the elbow.
One day Miss Meredith, his teacher
In the day-school where he attended.
asked him to remain few moments.
She knew how bravely and patiently
the little man Of the house was bearing
his heavy burden, and 80 she wished to
encourage him all she could, and keen
his spirits up.
''Ralph, dear" she said.
Eyes, Miss Meredith"
''You are . wonderfully good reader
for your age. Haven't you been used
to reading aloudp"
''YeA Miss Meredith" answered
Ralph; II used 10 read to papa every
day. the paper and stories and poetry
and the Bible"
II thought 70. Now I have = pro.
posal to make. Thorc 10 q blind iadv |
IN the house where I board; she e. |
quires somebody to amuse her; and she |
Will pay three dollars Z week 10 ! M. |
con who can read to her two hour,
every day. lhave been thinking thst
could excuse you every morning & : |
quarter before twelve, and lot YOU % run |
hcme, eat your luncheon, and then Van |
might 50 TO MrA MsrriAcld Ia Il
hour. Thsn q you could eive hsr a. ~ |
other hour from four to avo n tha I
Afternoon. che would b. satisfied" !"
Ralph almost Jumped Tor iov y Il.
ue0sn0nk AZ aarmS~. a. 20. ssAv